A petition to bring a mobile banking service to Elphinstone has been unsuccessful.

The petition, launched by social enterprise East Lothian Roots and Fruits (ELRF), garnered dozens of signatures from local residents who were disappointed that the Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) branch on Tranent High Street closed in June.

RBS mobile banking services currently operate in Dunbar, North Berwick, Gullane, Aberlady, Port Seton, Longniddry, East Linton, Prestonpans, Ormiston, Macmerry, Pencaitland and Gifford.

Services visit the areas for a brief period, often only 15 minutes, on a selected day each week.

Pamela McKinlay, ELRF project manager, said that the group had collected six pages’ worth of signatures to be sent to RBS calling on a mobile bank to be brought to the village.

However, she said the group received the following response from RBS: “Firstly, thank you and the residents for taking the time to write to us regarding the possibility of one of our mobile branches stopping in Elphinstone.

“In regard our mobile branch offering, we review and monitor our routes on a regular basis and introduce new stops where appropriate.

“Factors we take into consideration include the geographic area, the alternative services available nearby, as well as the capacity of the mobile branch timetable to allow for the addition of a new stop.

“Whilst we do not have a route that covers Elphinstone at the moment, we regularly review the service and the communities we serve.

“I will keep you informed if a new route serving our customers in Elphinstone is introduced.”

Pamela said: “We are a bit disappointed at the rejection, as it was our customers who asked us to run the petition; many do not have transport and rely on buses to get to the bank.

“Depending on bus routes and times, they sometimes have to get two buses to go to the bank in Musselburgh.”

Mike Falconer, chairman of Tranent and Elphinstone Community Council, said: “The outcome of the petition is disappointing but unsurprising.

“I, along with other community councillors, advocated for a mobile banking service to be brought to Tranent or Elphinstone and was also told no by RBS.

“I think the reality is that we are unlikely to see such a service in the area any time soon.

“I applaud the efforts of those at East Lothian Roots and Fruits and the Elphinstone community, but I am unsurprised by this outcome.”